WASHINGTON: A report published by The New York Times claims that the United States and Israel have finalized preparations for a coordinated military strike against Iran, with an attack potentially launching as early as next week.
According to the report, which cites two senior Middle Eastern officials, the allies are currently engaged in the most intense planning yet for a military operation targeting Iranian assets. Several military options are reportedly under consideration.
These options range from a massive bombing campaign against Iran’s military and infrastructure to a full-scale seizure of Kharg Island, Iran’s principal oil export terminal in the Persian Gulf. Another scenario under review involves landing commandos on Iranian soil to secure nuclear materials believed to be buried beneath rubble.
The heightened tensions stem from a joint Israeli-US operation last June that targeted Iranian nuclear facilities. Following that operation, approximately 440 kilograms of highly enriched uranium—considered sufficient to produce roughly ten nuclear weapons—are feared to be trapped under debris at the sites.
However, US officials cited in the report cautioned that any special commando operation aimed at retrieving the highly enriched uranium would be extremely dangerous. Such a mission would require thousands of troops, a complete siege of the surrounding area, and would carry a high risk of direct clashes with Iranian ground forces.
Neither the White House, the Pentagon, nor Israeli officials have commented publicly on the New York Times report. Iran has not yet issued an official response.
